Our “Attorney Problem” Part 2

U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Andrew E. Lelling, led an investigation of parents and others engaged in buying access to prestige colleges calling it “Operation Varsity Blues.”

That catchy name was first used by a feature film featuring Jon Voight and directed by Brian Robbins. It’s interesting that a U.S. Attorney was familiar with a “teen” film produced in 1999.

Born in 1970, Lelling is 49 years of age –too old to be a devotee of teen “pics”–and a Penn law school graduate.  Penn’s law school is top of the line with rigorous standards. Lelling was admitted on merit, not his “legacy.”  But his explanation that parents who pay bribes to gain admission to prestigious  colleges have committed a serious crime worthy of prison sentences smacks of self-righteousness.

Of course, Lelling’s entire career has been in government service and Lelling, too young to have experienced anti-Vietnam war protests, was trained by educators who did.  They believe that government service, not the private sector, benefits the public and that self-righteousness has rubbed off on Lelling and judges hearing “Varsity Blues” cases that Lelling brings to their courts. We do have an “Attorney Problem.”